What happens if Southwest cancels my flight?

The latest Southwest travel disruption only forced the airline to cancel few flights. However, travelers who have their flight canceled by Southwest due to the technical issues may be eligible for reimbursement through their travel insurance policy.

Trip Cancellation coverage would apply if the Southwest disruptions delay travel by more than 12 hours and force the traveler to cancel their trip outright. In this case, they can be reimbursed 100% of their prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs. If a traveler is refunded for their airfare from Southwest or placed on another flight, they are no longer eligible for reimbursement through their travel insurance policy.

It’s most likely that travelers could be covered by their Travel Delay benefit. This benefit can cover travelers for meals and accommodations during the delay of a common carrier, and kicks in after a delay of 3-12 hours, depending on the policy.

Be sure to call your provider’s 24-Hour Emergency Assistance department to receive personalized help and review your specific policy’s coverage.

This information may vary based on the travel insurance policy. If you have questions about a specific policy, please contact us directly at 800-240-0369. Our customer service representatives are available from 8am to 10pm ET, seven days a week, and are delighted to help!